Tyranno Le Terrible (Traduction En Anglais) Part 2

1. Cet après-midi-là, Igor alla trouver Tyranno.

That afternoon, Igor searched for Tyranno.

2. Tiens, dit-il de sa voix la plus amicable.

Hello, he said in his most friendly voice.

3. Il fait si chaud, j'ai pensé qu'une bonne glace te ferait sûrement plaisir.

It is so hot, I was thinking that a nice ice-cream would surely please you.

4. Tyranno regarda Igor un moment. Puis il eut un sourire méchant.

Tyranno looked at Igor for a moment. Then he had a wicked smile.

5. Une glace pour moi? Comme c'est gentil!

An ice-cream for me? How nice is that!

6. Tyranno s'empara du cornet de glace et il le renversa sur la tête de Igor.

Tyranno seized the corner of the ice cream and he overturned it on Igor's head.

7. Ha ha ha! s'esclaffa Tyranno, en s'eloignant. 

Ha ha ha! guffawed Tyranno, and moved away.

8. Igor entendit résonner le rire de Tyranno pendant un long moment.

Igor heard the resonating laughter of Tyranno for a long moment. 

9. Le lendemain, Igor raconta à son amie Platea ce qui s'était passé.

The next day, Igor told his friend Platea what had happened.

10. Tu prends ça trop au sérieux, déclara Platea. Quand cette grosse brute cherche à t'embêter, fais comme si de rien n'était. Reste calme. C'est le seul moyen.

You take this too seriously, declared Platea. When this big bully is looking to annoy you, do as if  nothing had happened. Stay calm. This is the only way.

11. Rester calme quand j'ai peur ne va pas être facile, dit Igor. Mais je veux bien essayer.

Staying calm when I am afraid will not be easy, said Igor. But I want to try.

12. Quand la fois suivante, Igor rencontra Tyranno, il resta calme. 

During the next time Igor met Tyranno, he was calm.

13. Salut, tête de lézard! hurla Tyranno en voyant Igor passer.

Hello, head of lizard! screamed Tyranno while watching Igor passing by.

14. Et si tu me donnais mon sandwich?

And if you were giving me my sandwich?

15. Igor n'y prêta aucune attention, et n'essaya même pas de s'enfuir. Il continua à marcher.

Igor paid no attention, and did not even try to run away. He continued to march on. 

16. Je vois qu'une fois de plus, il va falloir que je me serve, dit Tyranno.

I see that once again, he'll have to serve me, said Tyranno.

17. Il piétina le queue d'Igor jusqu'à ce qu Igor ait lâché / lâche son sandwich.

He trampled Igor's tail until Igor dropped his sandwich.

18. Igor essaya de cacher ses larmes. Mais il avait très mal.

Igor tried to hide his tears. But he had it very bad.

Tyranno Le Terrible (Traduction En Anglais) Part 1

Each sentence will be in French followed by a literal translation in English.

1. Igot était un petit dinosaure. Il vivait avec sa mère et son père dans une grande forêt marécageuse.
Igor was a little dinasour. He lived with his mom and his dad in a swampy forest.

2. Il y avait beaucoup d'enfants dinosaures qui habitaient dans le voisinage d'Igor.
There were many young dinosaurs who lived in Igor's neighborhood.

3. Ils jouaient chaque jour ensemble et Igor s'entendait bien avec tous, tous sauf un...
They played (every day) together and Igor understand (well) everyone, all save for one...

4. Son nom était Tyranno, et on l'appellait généralement Tyranno le terrible.
His name was Tyranno, and they called him (generally) Tyranno the Terrible.

5. C'était un enfant lui aussi, mais il était beaucoup plus grand et plus fort que la plupart des autres gamins.
This was a kid himself too, but he was much more bigger and stronger than most of the other children.

6. C'était une vraie brute. Pour tout dire, il était la prèmiere brute du monde.
This was a real brute. To be honest, he was the number 1 brute in the world.

7. Tyranno aimait surtout s'en prendre à Igor.
Tyranno loved especially to attack/lash out at Igor.

8. Il le tapait, le taquinait, et il voulait toujours son goûter.
He slapped him, teased him, and he wanted (always) his/Igor's snack.

9. Igor essayait de ne jamais se trouver sur le chemin de Tyranno, mais partout où il allait, Tyranno l'attendait.
Igor tried to never cross paths with Tyranno, but wherever he went, Tyranno waited for him.

10. Igor avait chaque soir un peu plus de mal à s'endormir.
Igot (had) every evening a little more trouble falling asleep.

11. Il cherchait sans cesse un moyen pour éviter Tyranno. 
He searched without ceasing, a way to evade Tyranno.

12. Sa situation paraissait désespérée. (from the word paraître)
His situation seemed hopeless.

13. Les camarades d'Igor essayèrent de l'aider.
Igor's comrades tried to help him.

14. Il faudrait que tu deviennes son copain, suggéra Tricéro un jour.
It is necessary that you become his friend, suggested Tricero one day.

15. Plus facile à dire qu'à faire, répondit Igor.
Easier said than done, said Igor.

16. Comment devenir copain avec quelqu'un qui m'a tapé et taquiné toute ma vie?
How to be friends with someone who slapped and teased me my whole life?

17. Tu devrais lui offrir un cadeau pour lui prouver que tu l'aimes bien, dit Tricéro.
You should offer him a present to prove to him that you like him well, said Tricéro.

18. Igor réflechit un moment. Quel genre de cadeau offrir à Tyranno?
Igor reflected for a moment. What type of present to offer Tyranno?

19. Puis il repensa à la façon dont Tyranno s'emparait toujours de ses goûters.
Thereafter, he thought of the way where Tyranno seized (always) his snacks.

20. Un cadeau pour Tyranno? dit-il tout haut. Ça vaut la peine d'essayer.
A gift for Tyranno? He wondered aloud. It's worth the pain to try.

Crow by Barbara Wright

The summer of 1898 is filled with ups and downs for 11-year-old Moses. He's growing apart from his best friend, his superstitious Boo-Nanny butts heads constantly with his pragmatic, educated father, and his mother is reeling from the discovery of a family secret. Yet there are good times, too. He's teaching his grandmother how to read. For the first time she's sharing stories about her life as a slave. And his father and his friends are finally getting the respect and positions of power they've earned in the Wilmington, North Carolina, community. But not everyone is happy with the political changes at play and some will do anything, including a violent plot against the government, to maintain the status quo. One generation away from slavery, a thriving African American community—enfranchised and emancipated—suddenly and violently loses its freedom in turn-of-the-century North Carolina when a group of local politicians stages the only successful coup d'etat in US history. 

Review

Crow depicts the story of the North Carolina community which was deeply-rooted in racism in the 1800's. It was a time where the American society had yet to reach its peak in civilization. It breaks my heart to see how Moses as a 12-year-old child had to suffer various insults and unfair treatments just because of his skin colour. Even though the Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, blacks were considered a class lower than the whites due to their long history in slavery.

Moses' dad was a man of honour and mettle. He was very open in Moses' education and was very patient and understanding whenever Moses made a mistake. He was Moses' early mentor and role model. Moses' grandma boo-nanny was also an interesting character with a tragic past, which led her to disbelieve all whites, thinking them as no-good. She was very adept at making potions to treat illnesses and telling ghost stories.

The story builds up to the occurrence of the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, the only successful coup d'etat in American history, and a tragic reminder of what can happen when prejudice, racism and distrust takes root in a society. 

The 'white supremacy' notion reminds me of the 'ketuanan Melayu' (Malay premiere rights) in my own country. Although not as extreme as the 'white supremacy' in 1800's America, it still divides the people between Malay and not-Malay, and this goes deeper into social (school funding, sponsorship and study opportunities abroad), economics (exclusive financial support for Malay businesses and start-ups, exclusive discounts when purchasing houses), and politics (the Prime Minister must be a Malay) issues. We do have our own history of violence (the May 13th incident), caused by racial misunderstanding.

Told from the view from a 12-year-old, Crow is scarily authentic, sad but ultimately hopeful - in the closing scene, Moses' white friend Thomas teaches him his secret crabbing technique and the sun reflects the colors of the rainbow through the sprays of water they sling at each other. 

The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

If you do not know the backstory, read my review for The Hunt, the first book in the series.

The Prey (The Hunt #2)

by Andrew Fukuda

Synopsis

For Gene and the remaining humans—or hepers—death is just a heartbeat away. On the run and hunted by society, they must find a way to survive in The Vast... and avoid the hungry predators tracking them in the dark. But they’re not the only things following Gene. He’s haunted by the girl he left behind and his burgeoning feelings for Sissy, the human girl at his side.

When they discover a refuge of exiled humans living high in the mountains, Gene and his friends think they’re finally safe. Led by a group of intensely secretive elders, the civilisation begins to raise more questions than answers. A strict code of behaviour is the rule, harsh punishments are meted out, young men are nowhere to be found—and Gene begins to wonder if the world they’ve entered is just as evil as the one they left behind. As life at the refuge grows more perilous, he and Sissy only grow closer. In an increasingly violent world, all they have is each other... if they can only stay alive.

Review

Against all odds, Gene and Sissy successfully led the boys from the Dome to the Mission, a safe haven filled with normal people, or more commonly known as hepers. And they were finally able to have a good life, enjoying luxurious meals and treated as honour guests. 

Gene and Sissy were told to embark on a train that leads to The Civilization, a place where more humans are waiting to welcome their arrival but Sissy, the female leader of the pack, was still on guard. Her sixth sense tells her something was not quite right, but the boys were oblivious. Or was it just her being overtly cautious?

This book had me guessing, guessing and guessing. I was kept in a constant shroud of mystery. I wanted to believe that they were finally safe and sound, with their own kind, but Sissy's insistence grated on my senses too. I felt scared, hopeful and worried for the characters before desperation sinks in as a possible outcome presents itself.

In this book, I both liked and hated Sissy. I really appreciate her intuitiveness, but I hated how she can be so unselfish towards those who wronged her and selfish towards those who loved her. 

Gene's story was more of a slow discovery of his father and his backstory, while Ashley June's complements Gene's story and provided us a glimpse into her early life and how she came to be who she is now. Sissy's origins were not disclosed in such detail as Gene's and Ashley June's except that her parents, now deceased, were part of the Mission too.

My conclusion is, this is a book not to be missed! In fact, the whole series is brilliant! As a reader of 7 years I don't expect myself to not predict the main arches of the story, but Andrew Fukuda outsmarted me. 

Rating:  

Luna Tree: The Baby Project by Maya Berger

Luna Tree: The Baby Project by Maya Berger 

  Synopsis

Maya is kicking up her heels, living the fabulous and mostly carefree life of a twenty-something young woman. However, in the back of her mind continuous longing for a good marriage and family lingers. How do you find the right man, the one who sticks through thick and thin? Will he provide you with the things you find essential in a relationship? Maya kissed a few frogs before finding her Prince Charming, but what followed was of higher importance. She started feeling chronic pain in her lower back, the pain that wouldn't let her neither sit nor stand. Thus Maya began her relentless quest for diagnosis and healing, which she ends after discovering Energy healing. She travels the globe to receive and raise her own stored Energy, the one that changes everything. Her ultimate desires come true.

Review

This is an honest diary of a young lady who faced a lot of negativity in her life despite being blessed with a good life and marriage, and how she rose above this problem and discovered a new side to herself.

I can feel her hopelessness at the beginning of the story - imagine a twenty-something young lady being plagued by a disease that makes it painful to stand or walk. It is pure torture. And the fact that after consultation and medication with so many doctors and healers, there is no improvement. I would have gone crazy in her situation.

A great part of this story concerns her pursuit of health and once again, happiness. It is interesting that Maya finally found Energy healing, an expensive but useful method to find balance in her health and life. The idea of surrounding  yourself with positive people and positivism in general sits very well with me. I believe that you have to pick the right people to be with. If you stay together with negative people all the time, they will suck all the positivism out of you, and vice versa. 

There is also mention of Chinese energy healing. I'm not sure if Maya meant qigong or something else, but it certainly intrigues me. However, I believe a great part of it comes from her willingness to embrace change and her efforts to be a better person emotionally. So yes, I think it concerns psychological change, and you need quite a sum too (because she mentioned the fees were exorbitant). 

I really agree with Maya's thoughts that a child is what his or her parents are. The Chinese believe that children mirror parents' actions, and I think that is true. Kids learn by imitation, and if there's something wrong with your kid, you should reflect on yourself.

In conclusion, this is a really positive book to read despite the sickness and hardship suffered by the author, and it really inspires me to show more kindness and understanding to those around me. It is easy to follow the author's storytelling/memoir - it is sincere, open and relatable. She did not disguise the pain and despair suffered, but instead shared her story in a positive manner.

It is really uplifting to read how her health improved a lot following Energy healing, and that she finally conceived and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Blessings to this little one, and I pray that your lives continue to grow in the direction of a greater balance, happiness and health.

Rating: 

*I received a complimentary of this book from the author for this review. No additional compensation, monetary or otherwise, is involved. The review is based on my own opinion and not influenced by any external factors. 

For Malaysian bloggers only:

If you would like to have my copy on the condition that you write a review on it after reading, please drop me an email at aikychien@yahoo.com. Self pick-up at Sitiawan or Poslaju (WM RM6/EM RM9).

Night Study by Maria V. Snyder

Synopsis

Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana's has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia are safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear. 

Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he's quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he's been keeping secrets from Valek...secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander's mysterious plans, they realize it's far more sinister that they could have ever imagined. 

Review

First off, I really love the cover of this book - it's gorgeous! I haven't read Soulfinders #1, but I thought it wouldn't matter because Maria always explains what happens in the previous book in a few simple sentences to give readers like me an overview of what happened. 

This book, as usual, is full of twists and turns, surprises everywhere. I especially liked how Valek and Yelena's relationship becomes stronger, and how the party discover the plot that was behind certain things from both Ixia and Sitia. However, the book proceeds at a rather slow pace (which I'm assuming is due to the pre-war set up which requires much explanation to get things clear). And the book ended with a cliffhanger (which I assume is to ensure a smooth transition towards the 3rd book, like a new chapter).

Not the best, but still good enough to score a 4 stars from me.  And did I say I love how the little Valek/Yelena's prospect excites me?

Rating: 

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

Review

If I Run is an engaging read, keeping my eyes glued to the pages as I follow Casey's story. It was plausible why Casey would run away when she found her best friend Brent dead even if she was not the killer, because of self-defense instinct. However, it was later revealed that the truth is much darker than what I thought. 

The literal prose is very good - words flows smoothly, good transitions from one point to another and overall very fast-paced and filled with twists which are revealed over time. The characters are well-developed, each with his/her own feelings, emotions and secret fears. 

However, the ending was a little abrupt and took me by surprise as I was expecting a new chapter of Casey's escape from the evil that haunts her. I later found out on Goodreads that this was supposed to be the first book of a new series. That made me feel better, because the story is going to continue.

Even though this is published under Christian-related literature, it is not an overly-religious/preachy type of book. It seemed to me that Casey is portrayed as someone who had lost faith in God but finds it for a short moment towards the end of the book. If I Run is definitely worth reading.

Rating

Giveaway
I'm giving away one (1) copy of this book. You can come pick up at Heritage Center SLC or pay for the shipping and I will mail it out to you. Contact me at aikychien@yahoo.com to arrange the pickup/delivery. First person who emails me gets it. If you are claiming, please leave a comment below so that others know that the book is claimed.

My Mom's Last Letter

My Mom's Last Letter by Chrissy Washburn

Commentary:

This short story shows how love can make live worth living up until the time of one's death. It's a heartwarming story of a mother who was kind, caring and full of positive energy, and how she faced death with extraordinary valor and peacefulness. The fact that Chrissy's mom left the world in the most serene manner reflected how she was a blessed soul, She left a legacy of love and kindness that everybody should emulate.

You may request a free copy of the book HERE. 

Giveaway:

I'm giving away my copy, courtesy of the author. If you're living in SLC, UT, and would like to read the book, please contact me at aikychien@yahoo.com. You can come pick up the book later.

I'm here in US!

Dear publishers/authors/readers,

I'm currently in US, and will be here until April 2016. If you would like to request a review of your book(s), please contact me at aikychien@yahoo.com 

Please note that I only accepted printed copies at the moment. Book(s) received and reviewed will later be given away to readers in the US or donated to the local library, marked as "courtesy of (publishing company/author)".

Thank you and have a nice day!

Yours sincerely,
Aik.